Posterior pituitary. The posterior (back) part of the pituitary gland in the brain contains the cells that produce oxytocin (that stimulates uterine contractions in labor) and ADH (vasopressin) (anti-diuretic hormone), which regulates retention of water by the body.

Pituitary. Hi. ADH (vasopressin) & oxytocin are made in neurons in the hypothalamus and travel down the axons in the pituitary stalk to the posterior pituitary where they are stored until they're released.
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Pituitary. Hi. ADH (vasopressin) & oxytocin are made in neurons in the hypothalamus and travel down the axons in the pituitary stalk to the posterior pituitary where they are stored until they're released. They're referred to as "posterior pituitary hormones", but they're made in the hypothalamus and only stored and released from the posterior pituitary.
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Causes contractions. Vasopressin causes constriction and contraction of the small blood vessels(arterioles). Oxytocin cause contractions of the smooth muscle of the uterus. Both of these entities are made in a place some distance form their target organs but are very effective in the job they do.
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More than we thought. For 100yrs oxytocin's role was believed to mainly involve empowering contractions in labor.Also some role in lactation "let-down".Recently found to help people connect w/ others emotionally & also decrease anxiety. Both effects make it ripe for study in autism, schizophrenia, etc.Those studies are starting & i've begun rxing it.Similar chemically, vasopressin mainly concentrates urine-& maybe more?
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Diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is caused by a lack of production of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior pituitary gland. It is not related in any way to diabetes mellitus, which is the kind of diabetes characterized by elevated blood sugar. (diabetes refers to the production of a large amount of urine, a symptom shared by both conditions), but in all other ways they are completely different.
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Treat the numbers? Advice: doctors treat patients and not numbers.
The ACTH and ADH (vasopressin) numbers can't be interpreted without the clinical context- it is like a fish out of water. After all, the values may be due to a lab error. It's best to ask this question with the doctor who you visited and ordered the tests.
Read more...

Endocrinologist. These are not the typical hormones a doctor would test for irregular menstrual cycles. TSH, Proactin, LH and FSH are more typical. It sounds like you are seeing an endocrinologist already based on these tests. I would schedule follow up to over the results.
Read more...

Pituitary. Hi. ADH (vasopressin) & oxytocin are made in neurons in the hypothalamus and travel down the axons in the pituitary stalk to the posterior pituitary where they are stored until they're released.
Read more...

Pituitary. Hi. ADH (vasopressin) & oxytocin are made in neurons in the hypothalamus and travel down the axons in the pituitary stalk to the posterior pituitary where they are stored until they're released. They're referred to as "posterior pituitary hormones", but they're made in the hypothalamus and only stored and released from the posterior pituitary.
Read more...

Causes contractions. Vasopressin causes constriction and contraction of the small blood vessels(arterioles). Oxytocin cause contractions of the smooth muscle of the uterus. Both of these entities are made in a place some distance form their target organs but are very effective in the job they do.
Read more...

More than we thought. For 100yrs oxytocin's role was believed to mainly involve empowering contractions in labor.Also some role in lactation "let-down".Recently found to help people connect w/ others emotionally & also decrease anxiety. Both effects make it ripe for study in autism, schizophrenia, etc.Those studies are starting & i've begun rxing it.Similar chemically, vasopressin mainly concentrates urine-& maybe more?
Read more...

Diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is caused by a lack of production of antidiuretic hormone by the posterior pituitary gland. It is not related in any way to diabetes mellitus, which is the kind of diabetes characterized by elevated blood sugar. (diabetes refers to the production of a large amount of urine, a symptom shared by both conditions), but in all other ways they are completely different.
Read more...

Treat the numbers? Advice: doctors treat patients and not numbers.
The ACTH and ADH (vasopressin) numbers can't be interpreted without the clinical context- it is like a fish out of water. After all, the values may be due to a lab error. It's best to ask this question with the doctor who you visited and ordered the tests.
Read more...

Endocrinologist. These are not the typical hormones a doctor would test for irregular menstrual cycles. TSH, Proactin, LH and FSH are more typical. It sounds like you are seeing an endocrinologist already based on these tests. I would schedule follow up to over the results.
Read more...